Another Blizzard Entertainment veteran has left the company. John Hight has decided to embark on a new journey after more than 12 years with the company.
John Hight at BlizzCon 2018 (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
Hight shared the news on social media, saying that “it was a tough decision, but I feel like now is as good a time as any.” He said he will continue making games and “start a new quest,” but didn’t specify what his next endeavour in the industry will be.
“Warcraft is in an amazing position as the universe turns 30,” Hight wrote, thanking players and the entire community for inspiring him and making him a stronger developer. “You are why I’ve poured my heart and soul into creating the best games possible.”
He also expressed gratitude to Blizzard developers he worked with during this 12-year journey: “I know you’ll take WoW, Hearthstone, and Rumble to new heights, and I can’t wait to experience your vision alongside other players.”
Thank you again for making these years so unforgettable, and I’ll still see you in Azeroth – now, as purely a player!
— John Hight (@JHight_Gamer) June 13, 2024
John Hight has been in the games industry for more than 30 years now. His first video game credit dates back to 1991, with CD-i titles such as Backgammon, Pinballa, and Battleship (via MobyGames). In the 90s, he worked at The 3DO Company and Electronic Arts, also serving as one of the lead designers on Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2.
During his time as an executive producer at Atari, Hight worked on publishing Neverwinter Nights, The Temple of Elemental Evil, and other games. After that, he became director of product development at PlayStation, where he contributed to releasing the company’s first-party titles such as Shadow of the Colossus, LocoRoco, God of War III, and Flower.
Hight joined Blizzard Entertainment in November 2011. He directed the production of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, but he is best known for producing World of Warcraft expansions, including Warlords of Draenor, Legion, and Battle for Azeroth. In 2021, Hight became general manager of the entire Warcraft franchise, overseeing game development and operations for all products based on this IP, from WoW and Hearthstone to Warcraft III: Reforged and Warcraft Rumble.